Ask The Electrician: What is Human-Centric Lighting and Is It Right for my Commercial Building?
As we move into 2026, the conversation about lighting in commercial buildings has fundamentally shifted. Building and facility managers are no longer just asking about watts per square foot, they are asking how lighting will impact the people who occupy the building. This shift is the result of a rise in popularity of human-centric lighting (HCL). HCL is a lighting strategy that focuses on physical and mental health, as well as performance, by supporting the body’s natural biological cycles. If you’re planning a major retrofit or new construction, understanding human-centric lighting will help you create a holistic solution to meet your building’s needs.
What is Human-centric Lighting?
Human-centric lighting isn’t just about brightness or efficacy, it’s about the powerful non-visual effects light has on us. Our bodies have a circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal clock that regulates a number of natural processes. From sleep to metabolism, it even affects body temperature. The circadian system is managed mainly by the light we see, with the spectral composition (or mix of colors) of that light steering the physical response. HCL attempts to mimic the natural daily progression of light quality and quantity that humans lived with for millennia prior to electric lighting. This process, called circadian entrainment, is about syncing the building’s light with people’s natural body clocks.
How Does Human-centric Lighting Work?
The lighting system delivers bright white light in the morning and during the early afternoon to maximize alertness and productivity. Some systems will deliver a burst of bluer, “colder,” but still white light right after lunch, to help stave off the infamous post-lunch dip. As day progresses to evening, color temperatures become “warm” (low quantity of blue light), and lights dim down a little bit. After this shift, the body receives a signal that it can stop producing cortisol (yeah, that cortisol) and ease into the slow process of making melatonin. Melatonin is a natural compound that helps the brain get more restful sleep – you have probably seen it on store shelves as a supplement espousing these qualities. Our brains typically produce enough melatonin to get restful sleep, but when the process is interrupted, it can cause a host of issues. Circadian disruption can alter metabolism, throw off glucose balance, and even slow down the body’s natural regenerative processes. Jet lag, and the several-day recovery time, is the direct result of circadian disruption.
Human-centric lighting is rapidly becoming an expected feature in commercial spaces, especially in offices, education, and healthcare facilities. HCL is particularly effective in healthcare settings and nursing homes where many workers and patients experience circadian disruption due to the 24-hour nature of the facility. You can imagine how important it is for a hospital to have lights with high color rendering indices so that they can immediately identify discoloration on a patient.
While the initial cost of HCL fixtures and controls is higher than traditional LED systems, there is a high return on investment through human factors. For example, improved concentration and alertness during the day can boost cognitive performance and throughput. Proper light levels and color rendering (our ability to perceive differences in color) have been linked to reduced eye strain, fewer headaches, and better overall occupant satisfaction. These wellness benefits have become important for attracting and retaining tenants.
How Complex is the Installation and Integration of HCL Systems?
Human-centric lighting is enabled by sophisticated Networked Lighting Control (NLC) systems, with DALI-2 being the modern standard. These systems offer a digital backbone for two-way communication, allowing DALI-2 capable fixtures to control color temperature and intensity while simultaneously reporting diagnostics and status. DALI-2 systems can alert owners and maintenance staff to issues like lamp failures or overheating drivers directly through your Building Management System (BMS). This capability moves maintenance from reactive to predictive, helping save labor downtime and costs.
Transitioning to HCL is a complex electrical and controls project, not a simple fixture swap. It requires special tunable white LED fixtures, and a fairly complex network of communication cables and controllers to fully integrate with BMS. The subsequent commissioning post installation is critical in defining specific schedules and settings that match the occupants’ needs, and may take longer to set up than conventional controls.
Is HCL a Necessary Investment for Future Building Certification and Value?
As standards like the WELL Building Standard gain more prominence, human-centric lighting will become necessary for achieving the highest levels of building certification. By adopting HCL now, you are future-proofing your property and ensuring it meets the rising demand for verifiable healthy indoor environments.
Human-centric lighting isn’t just a trend, it’s the next evolution in commercial building operation. By using digital controls like DALI-2 and recognizing light’s impact on health, you can help position your commercial building for success in a market that prioritizes both sustainability and occupant well-being.
By Eric Crouch, project manager at Interstate Electrical Services Corporation